Steering Column Decoupling to Neutralize Road Jolt Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power steering systems in vehicles are inadequate for absorbing brief, violent shocks from irregular road surfaces, leading to transitional efforts being transmitted to the driver through the steering column, which can cause discomfort and steering blockages.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical system that automatically decouples and re-mates the sections of the steering column using the energy from transitional efforts, neutralizing these efforts before they are transmitted to the driver. This system includes a prestressed elastic zone and mobile coupling elements that rotate and translate to absorb and release the energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power steering system is used to reduce driver effort, then steering ease is improved, but the system cannot absorb transient jolts from road irregularities, causing discomfort and potential blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can move relative to each other. The mobile connection allows the second section to decouple from the first section during transient shocks, segmenting the force transmission path and preventing jolts from reaching the driver while maintaining power steering functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the steering column is made more rigid to improve stability, then structural stability is improved, but transient forces are transmitted directly to the driver, reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column incorporates a mobile connection that dynamically changes its state between coupled and decoupled positions. During normal operation, the connection remains coupled to maintain structural stability. During transient shocks, the connection automatically decouples to absorb impacts, then recouples when the shock subsides, providing adaptive protection without compromising overall stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a telescopic steering column is used to protect against violent impacts, then driver protection is improved, but the system complexity increases and space requirements grow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential protective function from complex telescopic mechanisms. Instead of full telescopic columns, a simpler mobile connection is used that can decouple sections during impacts. This extracted function provides adequate protection against transient jolts while maintaining simpler construction and reducing spatial requirements compared to full telescopic systems.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the steering column sections are permanently coupled to ensure stability, then structural stability is improved, but transient jolts are transmitted to the driver, reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile connection transforms the permanently coupled steering column into a dynamically adaptable structure. The connection can automatically transition between coupled and decoupled states based on impact conditions, providing transient protection without requiring permanent structural changes or complex control systems.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If an elastic zone is introduced to absorb transient efforts, then shock absorption is improved, but the system mass and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic zone is designed to automatically absorb and release transient efforts without external intervention. The elastic elements store energy during compression from impacts and naturally return to their original state, providing self-regulating shock absorption. This eliminates the need for complex control systems, sensors, or active mechanisms, maintaining system simplicity while effectively reducing transient force transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively neutralizes transitional efforts caused by brief shocks, preventing their transmission to the driver and maintaining driving comfort, while being adaptable to various vehicle types and characteristics without significantly increasing the system's mass or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
providing an axially prestressed elastic zone between the sections mounted in the coupled state in accordance with the reference torque
Implementation Method 2
under the effect of a rotation of the distal section by a transient torque greater than the reference torque, causing automatic decoupling between the distal and proximal sections
Implementation Method 3
guiding this connection in a helix in the proximal section, and concomitantly, under the effect of the decoupling between the sections, driving the coupling connection in translation on the distal section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement of the column (1) neutralising transient forces (C1, EA1) generated by a jolt to which the column (1) is subjected, by an automatic decoupling between two coaxial sections (1a, 1b) of the column (1). This decoupling is caused by angular movement of a coupling link (5) between the sections (1a, 1b), preventing transmission of the forces (C1, EA1) by a distal section (1a) to a proximal section (1b) of the column (1). Simultaneously with the decoupling, a compression is also caused of a prestressed elastic mounting region (6a) between the sections (1a, 1b), the jolt then no longer being absorbed by the driver but by the compression of the elastic region. The decoupling is followed by an automatic re-coupling between the two sections (1a, 1b) under the effect of the relaxing of the elastic region (6a).